This place is spacious and lovely. The huge patio is great for hanging. I was lucky to get prime seating on the bean bag chairs with my friend this afternoon. I could have fallen asleep there, were we not having a business meeting! A bonus for me, they sell Sweets of the Earth cookies which are vegan. I also like that the soy milk is right up on the bar with the other condiments, as it should be! I hate asking for soy and being charged at other coffee shops! We stayed in, so we were served our coffees in perfect form. My friend had a beautiful looking latte in a big mug and my iced americano was served in a old fashioned jar with a handle. So cute! This was first trip to Leslieville (lame, I know). I've been wanting to check out lots of places along the Queen East strip and Te Aro has made me want to return immediately. I'm confident there are other gems like this place just around the corner! read more

Rented a bike downtown to ride across the bridge to check this place out. My Big Bro latte was perfect and super enjoyable, even on a 90 degree plus day! Definitely in love with the tall communal tables and vintage chairs. I was super pleased to have found a great artisan roaster while on vacation and only wish I could have made it out more than once. For now, I'll just be showing Te Aro love in the states with the t-shirt I bought there and accompanying story. :) read more

Pilot Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I was shocked to see flat white on the menu, I haven't seen a flat white advertised in Toronto until now. I know it's a coffee that Australians are fond of and maybe the fact most of the staff are Australian influenced that. It was a brilliant flat white, very tasty and it have me that buzz you expect to get after drinking espresso. My girlfriend got a latte and loved it. I also got a cinnamon bun, it was amazing! Very moist, warm and gooey. I can't complain about the service. Very quick and served with a smile. I'd definitely return and I would recommend it to coffee lovers. read more

I really like this place. It use to be an automotive repair shop so the place feels spacious. I love the wooden table tops and there's a good amount of seating even though it attracts the stroller crowd. There's also a front patio with more seating and I can bring my dog. The coffee taste good and the baristas are accommodating. I'm a latte kind of girl so it's my drink of choice. The milk is normally steamed just right but the latte art can be a hit or miss. I like seeing the pretty art so I get disappointed when all I get is a squiggly line or worst, a blob! read more

I've been to their Ossington location and heard great things about the Leslievile cafe so even though I wasn't particularly craving a latte, I had to drop in. I love the decor and atmosphere of this place. It's large, open, with plenty of tables. I went on a Sunday afternoon and the place was pretty packed with only the bar area left unoccupied. The latte was delicious and made me think why I go to Starbucks as often as I do. This is one of my favourites, along with Dark Horse on Spadina. read more

I've been to Te Aro several times.. and every previous experience has been subpar when it comes to the service.....until this time. I was there for quite some time, ordered a Pear Green tea (which is absolutely delicious), and now that they make baked goods.... I could not resist but to try a Ginger Molasses Cookie. Top Knotch! I love my cookies soft and chewy and I could just tell that this was a winner as I ripped a piece off. It was not overly sweet and the cookie was moist and absolutely delicious. I love the open space and the cool tunes that are played every time I'm there. I even heard that they do a cold brew, which I will have to try one day. Lunch would also be a good option as the sandwiches on baguettes look rather tasty. Until next time! read more

Why are you so far away from me, Te Aro? I know they don't make their croissants on-site but it was the best croissant I have every had. Great latte too. If I lived nearby I'd be here every day just for the croissants! I highly recommend visiting. read more

Well I did a review of their coffee and croissant a while ago. It was 4 star. However, I did say that I am not much of a coffee drinker. This re-review is based on my more frequent visits for other things - snacks and my beloved Chai latte. I really did not need to change my review rating before, even though my opinion of this place has changed. The 4 star was accurate enough to bring the rest of the snacks up to the 4... I really liked their chai latte - I had cravings for this, even if I have the same syrup at home to make it. Now they have changed it. And since that was the only thing bringing the place up for me, I have to re-review. Their new chai latte is a tea bag filled with herbs and tea then they add whatever milk. Apparently a honey infused tea.... note, I do like my tea but they an be quite watery especially when I was used to their syrup. The new tea tastes watery and I had to add more sugar to it myself. And while the tea bag remains - the taste becomes more gingery and a bit overpowering of anise. Sorry, I don't like this change. Snacks: Since there is practically no other closer cafes near by where you can grab a quick snack - Te-Aro seems to get away with sub-par snacks. I've had their cheese muffins (partically grainy and bland - maybe the usual for gf), their croissants - dry, stale and bread like, their dry, cold hard breaded over priced sandwiches, their equally dry heavy tasteless scones (cannot eat this on its own, need a drink), their plastic tasting home made granola bar (so rubbery I wonder what makes it rubbery?) , their plain energy balls, and their sugary (not gingery) hard halloween ginger bread cookies. Their chai seed pudding parfait is not that bad. Though, the last time I had it the seeds of the raspberry were over poweringly bitter I had to get a coworker to taste it to confirm it was just the seeds and had not gone sour. So my question is - why?! Why do people still like going here? Maybe it is the layout - cool old garage and outdoor front patio, they do not seem to bother people that set up shop there with their laptops, nice atmosphere... BUT I guess I am getting sick and tired of over priced "trendy" places that serve tasteless, dry terrible food - taking advantage of location. Thing is, I would not mind paying these prices for something that tastes yummy, instead of like card board. Te- Aro Please fix your food menu!!! Get some real yummy food in there! I feel that people are saying it is good mostly because of the coffee and location - and putting up with such horrible food/snacks. I feel I have been there many times and tried to give you many chances. I would feel bad bringing a visitor to this city or my area (your area) and having them out for coffee or even chai latte there because the snacks are so bad. Please take this as constructive criticism. read more

Had an iced latte here yesterday and grabbed a pear green tea for a friend. While waiting to place my order, some spandex wearing hellcat bum rushed right in front of me. She was literally hanging off the counter like a fiend. We've all been in a desperate way for a coffee, but seriously? The dude at the cash saw this and ignored her as it was my turn. She turned around, gave me stank eye and said "Oh are you next?" Yes b$tch. It's called a line, I thought but icily retorted "Uh, yes". The dude at the cash was much more patient than me because at this moment I was ready to throw down. He continued to ignore her and served me, slowly and pleasantly while she seethed. Then picking up my beverages to bring them out to the patio, some jerk ran right into me and didn't apologize. Fortunately, I was on high alert after the hellcat so my reflexes were sharp; I didn't drop the coffee or tea. Conclusion, this could be an isolated event. The coffee is damn good, but I need to investigate the clientele further to know if I can stomach sitting down to enjoy said coffee in their midst. read more

This place is tucked inside Queen Street, which makes a great space out front for a patio. Seems like it'd be a great spot to work or meet up with friends - great ambiance and excellent service. Sadly, the coffee was not great (I ordered an Iced Americano) - the roast was not super flavourful and it left a weird aftertaste. My opinion seems to differ from most other reviews here so it could have been an outlier... read more

One of the many coffee shops in Leslieville area that caters to coffee connoisseurs, enthusiasts and beginners alike. You can have regular brew, traditional Latte, an Americano or my all-time favourite, a delicious Cortado. Sandwiches, panini, salads, cookies and slice of delectable cakes are available to pair your chosen drink. Well, why the 3-stars then, you ask? This place is really busy which makes it hard for patrons with children to get a table. I do wish the seating arrangements will be redone not just cater to individuals on long tables or couples on 2-person tables. There is literally so much real estate to fix this. Overall, not a bad place to hangout. I might come back with my buddies or my wife. Probably not with the kids, though. read more

I've read so many blogs and forums saying how great Pilot Coffee Roasters and how good the coffee is at Te Aro. Since I was in the area, it only made sense to pop in and give it a go. I have to say....it certainly lives up to the hype. I got a cortado, which was every bit as good as Farenheit , my go to place in the city. My only complaint is that every time the door opened, a blast of cold air whipped though the place. Don't know if there's any way to fix that. read more

Pilot Coffee Roasters - Cortado - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I'm really torn about this place. On the one hand, the coffee always tastes great...EXCEPT when this one barista makes it. He's such a douche, total attitude, and tasteless espresso-based drinks come from him. Where's the coffee dude? Before I was served by him, I had always found the baristas to be nice enough I guess...they're not very talkative and are kind of pretentious but at least they make good coffee. The chai lattes are AMAZING...I never would have tried one until my gf let me have some of hers and I can't find a decent one since trying Te Aro's. There are always WAY too many moms and kids. I know it's the neighbourhood but still...they take up all the space inside and out (and it's a huge place). They're SO LOUD and you feel bad smoking near them so it totally ruins my coffee experience. But there's something that draws me to the place, the decor is outstanding and I always get lots of work done when I go (as long as I go at nap/feeding time so the babies are gone). read more

First time in, awesome, delicious, creamy cappuccino. Second time in, a terrible dribble of something luke warm. I was a little embarrassed because I brought my parents in to show off the place. However, the atmosphere is great, the girls behind the cash are super sweet and nice and ill let this one bad capp go. Just this once. read more

Beautiful laid-back cafe with a great atmosphere. They have everything to make you feel right at home -- massive "sumo" bean bag chairs, newspapers, design magazines, good tunes, and a jug of ice water at the counter. The patio is pretty big and quiet. Staff actually seem to enjoy their job -- always a plus! My cappuccino was pretty average (almost no foam to speak of though), but all the other good things make up for it. read more

Tried the latte here. Came topped with heart foam art which was cute. But I didn't really like the latte itself. It didn't taste smooth. There was this burnt taste to it. Tried the drip coffee. Didn't really like it either. If I had a better grasp of coffee language I might be able to explain why I didn't like it but I don't. If anything it tasted acidic and I guess I like a more smooth rounded roast. The butter tart i had was delicious though. And the atmosphere of the whole cafe is really nice. One can easily spend an entire day here. read more

Finally tried Te Aro and I wasn't disappointed. Their iced mocha is good and their cookies are really good. I loved the space, especially the patio. read more

This is a nice place in the hood. In the summer they have a nice patio. The coffee is ok, but baristas are super cute but slow, which left me thinking, maybe they hadn't had their coffee yet that day... Lots of people hanging out and it has a nice vibe. read more

I've just enjoyed a couple hours relaxing and plugging away at my computer at Te Aro. I really love the vibe there--very cool decor, great people behind the counter and, of course, excellent coffee! I'd have to say I'm a coffee fanatic, and Te Aro's brew doesn't disappoint. For many years, Leslieville had very few options when it came to coffee shops, and now there are so many, sometimes it's hard to choose which one to go to. I actually rode my bike past Te Aro on my way to Dark Horse, but decided to turn around and give it a try. I ordered a cup of El Salvador, perched myself at the communal-style table and split my time between people watching and writing. The room is large and airy, and even on this scorching hot day it was relatively comfortable. But what sets Te Aro apart from their local competitors is the fact that they roast their own beans in micro batches to ensure a fresh product. You can just tell that they really care about their product. My coffee was a great reminder that it's such a good idea to support local artisan operations like this one. The quality is high and the price is relatively reasonable. I wouldn't say Te Aro is my favorite spot in the city to grab my morning--or afternoon--jolt, but it's definitely worth checking out. read more

I love this nice Toronto cafe. The drinks are made with a lot of care and the sandwiches are great. They also carry some gluten free pastries from various bakeries. Always happy to come here. read more

8 bucks for espresso and Almond chai latte. I am a coffee drinker, and the espresso flavor was interesting (hint of strawberries), but not hot enough for me. Almond chai latte has very little hint of almond, but some strawberry?! Nice Atmosphere though, love the décor! Won't go back...but can't believe how many unique resturants and cafes on this street now...next...PIE... read more

I really like this place. There never seems to be enough seating inside, so it's nicer to come in the summer since there is a huge courtyard/patio out front. I wish there were less people sitting there with macbooks taking up prime space. Also, people bring their dogs inside and I can't say I'm a fan of that. The tea and coffee are very good quality. read more

A very cool place in the middle of Queen East. The vibe is relaxed and the food and coffee is fantastic. In warmer weather, it is a treat to sit outside and people watch as pedestrians go by. The Coffee's are well crafter and artistic. The sandwiches and deserts are well portioned and very good. It is sometimes hard to get a seat as it is always busy. Weekday mornings are exceptionally busy. read more

Pilot Coffee Roasters - Flat white - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

First off, I don't drink coffee. I do drink espresso, as long as it's a cappuccino or latte and Te Aro has become my neighbourhood favourite. I always get Big Bro espresso which I find to be smooth and doesn't have the harsh punch that Mercury's espresso has. However, the big winner for me is the milk. I drink soy and the milk they use, I believe the brand's "Pacific", has the best texture out of any other place I've been. And they don't charge extra for having soy. If you're a regular like I am, they also have a loyalty card so every ten coffees, lattes, etc you get one free. It's easy to rack them up! I do agree with other reviews, if it's busy expect to wait. I've walked in and left before because I knew I didn't have time to commit, but I'll keep coming back. I find it's a great place to work. Their music selection compliments me tapping away at my laptop, adding a nice background without distracting. However, there are only two outlets so if you need one to work this might not be the best location for you. read more

Call me a little biased because my girlfriend use to work here - but that means I actually spent a lot of time here. Honestly, the coffee is really good - especially love their cold brew (who knew cold coffee was a thing? I didn't). Service is super friendly, I remember hearing Andrew singing in there one day when pretty much everybody was gone - smiles all around :) Seriously, the people make this place, and it's THE cafe you should visit while in the area! Oh yeh, the breakfast naps are awesome - worth the $! read more

Great coffee!spacious coffee shop with a lovely patio. Very relaxing vibe. I keep coming back every weekend. read more

Pilot Coffee Roasters - Sipping an iced latte on the patio. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Good coffee and a nice selection of treats (chocolate chip and sea salt cookies are fantastic!), and all the staff are friendly and helpful. The space is a converted auto shop wit a bit of an industrial feel with high ceilings, exposed ducts, and concrete floors. When the weather is nice the whole front of the cafe rolls up and is open to the outside, and they also have a little patio. The space is cozy, the coffee is tasty, and the people are nice. I'm glad this place is just down the street from me. read more

Crowded. People sitting around with their laptops with 1 cup of coffee. Was not an enjoyable experience trying to have a flat white with a croissant. For those complaining there are not enough outlets here I'm wondering how much are they spending on their visit here compared to those that can't get a seat to eat their lunch. read more

a cozy cafe, with very friendly and attentive staff and nice atmosphere and interesting decor. a spacious patio on the front. I usually have just regular coffee there. a great place to sit down and read or use the internet. read more

Great space, very busy but I can see why after visiting. Met with some friends here last Saturday afternoon, it was a fun two hours sipping on amazing coffee and tea and indulging in some tasty snacks. Would definitely recommend to others when in the area! read more

Pilot Coffee Roasters - Cappuccino artwork and gluten-free ginger cookie. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Mmmmhhhh ... In a nutshell, Te Aro is a nice, cool, little shop that completely swept me off my feet. Their coffee emanates from Pilot Coffee Roasters. Te Aro is the best location to bust out your favorite book or laptop. Everyone including the staff as well as those folks that hang out at the shop are friendly. Te Aro is unquestionably among the top-rated coffee spots in the area. You really need to bookmark this shop. My hot and creamy chocolate was certainly a work of beautiful art. It was delicious and rich. I love how they're arranged their shop. The Barista is nice. The décor is comforting. The shop is my favorite stop for chocolate, an Americano, or latte. If you're into sandwiches and baked goods, you'll also find them in their plenty at this shop. When I'm bored working on my computer in the house, Te Aro is the first place that crosses my mind. The environment is very much work friendly. In the summer, they normally set up an outdoor patio when customers can have a feel of the sun as they drink coffee. Try it today and discover its magic read more

Ironically I have heard of this place before. From my understanding they used to roast right in this cafe. I was looking forward to seeing the exciting task of roasting as this is where my heart lies when it comes to coffee having roasted for some of the most reputable coffee houses and roasters in North America. Te Aro is a city/town in New Zealand where their is a premium and expectation of good coffee. learning from one of their customers that the owners are from Te Aro and have a family history of coffee roasting. My interest has definitely be peeked. The cafe itself is a little boring with plenty of seating and a huge patio out front. While doing a little research I stumbled upon the knowledge that the owner is also a fellow Q Grader. So with that I expect that I am about to get an awesome shot of espresso. I ask for an elevens at the recommendation of my new found friend Catherine. The Barista did a little calibration before the shot was pulled which was nice to see or it could also be a sign that they have some lazy Barista's (which was not the case here). The shot was very bright but not offensively bright. Tonnes of fruit with a nice chocolate finish, i suspect there is an Ethiopian as I got some blueberries out of this shot. I wouldn't recommend having this in a larger milk drink but it make quite a nice espresso. It was a much more balanced shot than I had at Dark Horse but not mind blowing. Overall the cafe is cool to chill out in and I decided to take home a bag of Costa Rica El Milena (an excellent coffee I enjoyed a lot last year). Overall I put it one notch on a belt ahead of the Dark Horse Espresso Bar and a place where coffee is taking quite seriously. worth checking out again. read more

Hipster Cafe, nice staff and good food/drinks. very rustic so don't expect a white marble background for your instagram. Latte was not bad 4/5 read more

Te Aro in Leslieville is a great cafe. The coffee is potentially the best in the city. From their americanos to their lattes, it's all top of the shelf. The two detractors are unfortunately a result of their amazing coffee. It's always full and takes a long time to get a coffee, and secondly, despite their great product, their price point is a bit too high. But all in all, when I'm in Leslieville, Te Aro is a great place to enjoy some quality caffeinated beverages. read more

I like hitting up this joint when I have some work to do. The place looks sick and they have some different teas and what not, I usually get the ginger. It gets busy sometimes but because its on Queen East, there's always street parking so its easy to get to. I wish it was open a little later so I can get work done in the evening but still I like this spot. The coffee is amazing too, its there special blend or at least something thats available everywhere in the city. They are a great alternative to all those starbuck fans who like the atmosphere, this place definitely as a sick vibe. read more

Amazing latte, charming staff and a fantastic patio. This place looks much more pretentious than it is, people were comfortable working on laptops, meeting friends and reading here. A coffee shop worth travelling across town for. read more

Cute little spot with lots of natural light, good coffee, and delicious treats. A cookie and medium drip cost almost $6. I found free parking one street east. read more

I really enjoy my mocha's at Te Aro, the staff are fantastic and everything about that place is calming. The staff member that seems to be always wearing a bandana does especially lovely latte art and is quite friendly. Threy alos offer high chairs which I find convenient for my child and I. Thanks Te Aro :) read more

One of the best coffees in Toronto, bar none. This place knows their coffee well and brews it the right way to bring out the best flavours in each roast they use (and they do change it up often). I highly recommend getting an espresso or americano and drinking it black so you can really savour it and get a sense of the different flavours. Great space on the interior - lots of space to sit with a friend or solo to work, if a bit crowded with strollers sometimes. The patio out front is large and a great space. The only thing preventing me from giving this place five stars is the generally aloof staff. No, it has no bearing on the coffee and they are amazing baristas, but being friendly to your customers - particularly your regulars - goes a long way. I always try to be friendly and engaging but it's rare that it's reciprocated. read more

Visited Te Aro today and had one of the best Americanos I've ever had in Toronto accompanied by an amazing apricot coconut cookie in a beautiful busy coffee shop. Why two stars? Obnoxious (hip hop?) music blasting through the café. Other customers, many with earbuds, didn't seem to mind. I did. A lot. Guess I'm not their target customer. Couldn't wait to finish my coffee and cookie so I could get out of there. I'd go back, but for takeout only. read more